The 2014 regulations require the use of lower noses than in previous years, in the interests of safety. The tip of the nose would have been no more than 185mm above the ground, in comparison to the 550mm allowed in 2012

I read somewhere that cuz of this rule, push-rod front suspensions will be way to go in 2014.

I read somewhere that cuz of this rule, push-rod front suspensions will be way to go in 2014.

It really depends on what the designers want in terms of geometry.

In theory pull-rod should actually work better with a lower nose (in purely mechanical terms), and it will always give an advantage in terms of components sitting lower in the chassis, which then gives rise to a disadvantage for accessibility.

In theory pull-rod should actually work better with a lower nose (in purely mechanical terms), and it will always give an advantage in terms of components sitting lower in the chassis, which then gives rise to a disadvantage for accessibility.

In theory, yes I agree with you but it is strange first front pullrod activated torsion springs were used by Minardi in 2001 before Ferrari launched their own version last season. Teams choose accessibility over the aerodynamic gains?

In theory, yes I agree with you but it is strange first front pullrod activated torsion springs were used by Minardi in 2001 before Ferrari launched their own version last season. Teams choose accessibility over the aerodynamic gains?

I think perhaps aero has move on (and perhaps suspension design allowing more compact packaging) to the point where it has become beneficial under the current regs.

In theory, yes I agree with you but it is strange first front pullrod activated torsion springs were used by Minardi in 2001 before Ferrari launched their own version last season. Teams choose accessibility over the aerodynamic gains?

Think its more beneficial now with the noses being higher than they were during the 00's, at a guess anyway!

In theory, yes I agree with you but it is strange first front pullrod activated torsion springs were used by Minardi in 2001 before Ferrari launched their own version last season. Teams choose accessibility over the aerodynamic gains?

Of course there's the fact that designers are much more likely to copy a pace-setting car than a Minardi.

I think accessibility had a lot to do with it, also staying with a front-end which was well-refined must have been a factor for McLaren in previous years.

Think its more beneficial now with the noses being higher than they were during the 00's, at a guess anyway!

Indeed. Just visualize a pull-rod with a low nose - or take the the rear suspension design. No longer nearly horitzontal. In the 2001 yearbook of Piola you have both the older Arrows solution and the Minardi design. While Arrows raced the pull-rod up front in 2000 it was Minardi which managed to package the suspension components neatly at the bottom of the nose.

It is also important to keep in mind that now we have a extremely close field with many big development paths heavily regulated or even block, so the teams put their ressources increasingly in areas where the gains or not as big to get smaller advantages which might prove decisive. It is also correct to state that the technical progess and increased knowledge have made it increasingly possible to suit the mechanics to the aerodynamic needs. The recent brake designs are a great example of it!

I remember Mark Gillan talking about the amazing progress in this area over the last few years.

When you look at the car, it looks like an evolution but when you start thinking about it you realize that it's actually a small revolution.
McLaren raised the front bulkhead, they changed the front and rear suspension, changed the side pods plus all the small bits that we are yet to see. Did anybody notice that the 3d model actually had the side pod wings. The biggest question id what will all the changes mean for the balance of the car, how did the balance change and will the drivers be able to find it.

Can't see Button winning the WDC at all regardless if Seb is there or not.

Holding out hope for the WCC, but I can see Alonso walking off with the WDC this year - he should have had it last year really after McLaren dropped so many balls but was basically robbed at the end of the season by things really out of his control.

its the 28, it has the rb like "bargeboards" turning vanes underneath, but no surprise there, it look the same as at the launch, just added last years, late introduced frontwing.
I know we don't like to hear but jezz neweys ideas set the trend so often. Ok Mclaren introduced last season, the exhaust route chosen by most this year. But the wishbone cover of the drivetrain, turning vanes, rear suspension all newey rb's solution from last year copied by both ferrari and mclaren. No matter lets hope the 28 will be mind-blowing fast as it will need to be with those drivers